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1 From Paul#tn Grk “Paul.” The word “from” is not in the Greek text, but has been supplied to indicate the sender of the letter. and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians#map For the location of Thessalonica see JP1-C1; JP2-C1; JP3-C1; JP4-C1. in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Grace and peace to you#tn Grk “Grace to you and peace.” from God the#tc ‡ Most witnesses (א A F G I 0278 Ï lat sy sa) have ἡμῶν (Jhmwn) after πατρός (patros), reading “God our Father,” in apparent emulation of Paul’s almost universal style. The omission of the pronoun (the reading of B D P 0111vid 33 1739 1881 pc) seems to be the original wording of this salutation. As well, the intrinsic evidence also supports the shorter reading: If 2 Thessalonians is authentic, it was one of Paul’s earliest letters, and, if so, his stereotyped salutation was still in embryonic form (see discussion at 1 Thess 1:1). NA27 places the word in brackets, indicating some doubts as to its authenticity. Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!

Thanksgiving

3 We ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters,#tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” or “fellow Christians” as here (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelfoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited). and rightly so,#tn Grk “as is worthy.” because your faith flourishes more and more and the love of each one of you all for one another is ever greater. 4 As a result we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you are enduring.

Encouragement in Persecution

5 This is evidence of God’s righteous judgment, to make you worthy#tn Grk “so that you may be made worthy.” The passive infinitive καταξιωθῆναι (kataxiwqhnai) has been translated as an active construction in English for stylistic reasons. of the kingdom of God, for which in fact you are suffering. 6 For it is right#tn Grk “if in fact/since,” as a continuation of the preceding. for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to you who are being afflicted to give rest together with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed#tn Grk “at the revelation of the Lord Jesus.” from heaven with his mighty angels.#tn Grk “angels of power,” translated as an attributive genitive.8With flaming fire he will mete out#tn Grk “meting out,” as a description of Jesus Christ in v. 7. Because of the length and complexity of the Greek sentence, a new sentence was started at the beginning of v. 8 in the translation.punishment on those who do not know God#sn An allusion to Jer 10:25, possibly also to Ps 79:6 and Isa 66:15. and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They#tn Grk “who,” describing the people mentioned in v. 8. A new sentence was started here in the translation by replacing the relative pronoun with a personal pronoun. will undergo the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his strength,#tn Or “power,” or “might.” The construction can also be translated as an attributed genitive: “from his glorious strength” (cf. TEV “glorious might”; CEV “glorious strength”; NLT “glorious power”).sn An allusion to Isa 2:10, 19, 21.10 when he comes to be glorified among his saints and admired#tn Or “marveled at.” on that day among all who have believed – and you did in fact believe our testimony.#tn Grk “because our testimony to you was believed.”11 And in this regard we pray for you always, that our God will make you worthy of his calling#tn Or “your calling.” and fulfill by his power your every desire for goodness and every work of faith, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to#tn Or “by means of.” the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.